title: Relative weights of the backpacks of elementary-aged children.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to describe the range of relative backpack weights of one group of elementary-aged children and the extent to which they exceeded recommended levels. A second purpose was to explore whether gender and age help predict the relative weight of children's backpacks. Ninety-five 8- to 12-year-old elementary school students (56% girls; 88% car or bus riders) participated. Their school backpacks were weighed, and their age, gender, and mode of transportation to school were recorded. Only 40% of the sample carried backpacks that were less than 10% of their body weights. Five percent of the students' backpacks exceeded 20% of their body weights. Neither age group nor gender significantly predicted relative backpack weight or relative weight levels. Recommendations are made for ways to reduce the weight these young children carry.
authors.affiliation: 1Liberty Middle School, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Judith B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bryant
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: elementary; health/wellness; quantitative research; safety/injury prevention